Owen was born George Owen Smith in Hackney, London, and began playing the saxophone at the age of 15. He played in local groups such as Teddy Joyce's Juveniles and the Royal Kiltie Juniors, before founding his own ensemble whilst still in his teens. He studied with Benny Glassman and then attended the Royal College of Music. During World War II he played in the Bomber Command Band of the RAF, then arranged for Ted Heath and Cyril Stapleton after 1945. In 1954, he had his name legally changed to Reginald Owen. He published a book, the Reg Owen Arranging Method, in 1956, and began writing film scores in 1957, including the scores to Date with Disaster (1957), Payroll (1961) and Very Important Person (1961). In 1959, he even scored a Top 40 hit in the U.S. with "Manhattan Spiritual", which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same track reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1959. A further track, "Obsession", peaked at #43 in the UK in October 1960.
In 1961 Owen moved to Brussels, working as a composer, conductor, and arranger throughout continental Europe. He moved to Spain in the 1970s, and died at the Clinica Limonar in Málaga, on 23 May 1978 at the age of 57.
Please Don't Talk About Me
Reg Owen and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, honey,
Though our friendship ceases from now on,
And listen,
If you can't say anything that's nice,
It's better not to talk at all,
Is my advice,
We're parting,
I'll go mine,
It's best that we do,
Here's a kiss!
I hope that this brings,
Lots of luck to you
Makes no difference how I carry on,
Remember,
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
The song "Please Don't Talk About Me" by Reg Owen & His Orchestra is an upbeat, jazzy tune with lyrics that touch on the delicate subject of gossip and maintaining a positive image even in the face of a falling-out with a former friend. The singer implores his listener to refrain from speaking ill of him, even after he has departed from their company. The lyrics suggest that it is better to remain silent than to speak negatively of others, and that by doing so, the singer hopes to maintain a sense of good will between himself and his former friend.
The song's catchy melody and optimistic message make it a favorite among fans of swing and jazz music. The lyrics, which deal with the complexities of friendship and human relationships, offer a glimpse into the human condition and the ways in which we navigate the ups and downs of social interactions. Ultimately, the message of the song is one of hope and unity, encouraging people to treat each other with kindness and respect, even when we must part ways.
Overall, "Please Don't Talk About Me" is a timeless classic that has endured for decades thanks to its memorable tune, insightful lyrics, and uplifting message. It is a testament to the enduring power of music to connect us all, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone,
I kindly ask that you refrain from speaking about me when I am no longer present.
Oh, honey,
An affectionate term used to address the person being spoken to.
Though our friendship ceases from now on,
Even though our friendship has come to an end from this moment forward.
And listen,
I ask that you pay attention to what I am about to say next.
If you can't say anything that's nice,
If you are unable to say something positive about me,
It's better not to talk at all,
It would be best if you refrained from speaking altogether.
Is my advice,
I am imparting my wisdom upon you.
We're parting,
We are separating or bidding farewell.
You go your way,
You will continue on your path in life.
I'll go mine,
I will continue on my own journey.
It's best that we do,
It is the wisest decision for both of us.
Here's a kiss!
An affectionate gesture accompanying the farewell.
I hope that this brings,
I wish that this action conveys,
Lots of luck to you
Wishing you good fortune and happiness.
Makes no difference how I carry on,
Regardless of how I conduct myself,
Remember,
I implore you to recall what I have said.
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Please do not speak of me in my absence.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bee Palmer, Sidney Clare, Sam Stept
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ferni Deck
Gracias querido Gustavo como siempre bajar y ofrecernos estos tesoros inolvidables que aunque no son de nuestra epoca nos encantan mucho. Saludos costeros desde Mardel Argentina
sang nguyen
Absolutely lovely. Thank you Mr
Battaglini, Sir.
Diego Quiroga
Hola Gustavo : En una tarde quieta y tranquila y con una buena bebida encuentro una excelente oportunidad de darle rienda suelta a mi solaz. Abrazadora y espirituosas música!!
Павел Корчагин
Благословенные 50-е годы.Спасибо.
Neil Saunders
Reg Owen is a hero of mine. I studied his book on arranging in my young days.
shogunTHOT
I own that record after rummaging through an estate sale years ago. Fantastic album that surprisingly works well while drinking a nice cup of coffee! Thanks for uploading this gold mine!
Ferni Deck
Aiiii ammmorr que pases una hermosa tarde como vos ..ojala pudieses escuchar estas hermosas melodias con un cafecitote reamoo ciee Ferni
Ferni Deck
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰